Guides · reviewed 2026-09-04

You won. How to collect: garnishment, writs, and examinations

Legal information, not legal advice. Results depend on the facts of your case.

Legal information, not legal advice. This guide and our free tools give legal information. They do not give advice about your case. A licensed lawyer can give legal advice.

The answer

A judgment is an order to pay, not a payment. The court does not collect for you. You enforce the judgment yourself with the tools in Rule 20. A judgment does not guarantee payment. A defendant with no income and no property can pay nothing.

What to do

  1. Ask the defendant to pay. Propose a payment plan if that helps. The court can also set payment terms.
  2. Add postjudgment interest: 4.0% for a judgment made in 2026.
  3. Learn what the defendant has. Ask the clerk for a Notice of Examination (Form 20H) with an Affidavit for Enforcement Request (Form 20P); the fee is $68.
  4. Serve the notice at least 30 days before the examination, with a blank Financial Information Form (Form 20I) for a person. File proof of service at least 3 days before.
  5. At the examination, the debtor answers under oath about income, property, debts, and why they have not paid. A person must complete Form 20I and bring documents.
  6. For each enforcement step, swear a new Form 20P that states the amount still owed, with interest.
  7. Wages have a 20% limit. Garnish wages or a bank account with a Notice of Garnishment (Form 20E); the fee is $144. Read: wage garnishment.
  8. Seize personal property with a writ of seizure and sale (Form 20C); the fee is $68. The bailiff acts on your direction (Form 20O); attempts cost $38, or $64 with a sale.
  9. Register a writ against the defendant's land (Form 20D) with the sheriff; the fee is $68. You cannot file Form 20D through the online portal outside Toronto. The land cannot be sold until the writ has been on file for 6 months.
  10. To enforce in a different court area, get a certificate of judgment (Form 20A); the fee is $30. File it where the debtor lives or does business.
  11. Renew what you start. A writ expires on its 6th anniversary; renew before then with Form 20N.

Deadlines and fees

  • Notice of Examination (Form 20H): $68. Serve at least 30 days before the date.
  • Notice of Garnishment (Form 20E): $144 to issue or renew. Lasts 6 years; renew with Form 20E.1.
  • Writ of seizure and sale (Form 20C or 20D): $68. Expires on the 6th anniversary; renew with Form 20N.
  • Certificate of judgment (Form 20A): $30.
  • Bailiff attempts: $38, or $64 with a sale. A fee waiver does not cover bailiff disbursements.
  • More than 6 years after the judgment, a new writ or garnishment needs leave of the court.
  • Wages: 20% of net wages maximum.

If the defendant does not come to the examination

If the debtor does not attend, or refuses to answer, the court can order a contempt hearing. The court can order jail for up to 5 days. Never seize property yourself. Only the bailiff or the sheriff can.

When the defendant pays

When the judgment is paid in full, serve a Notice of Termination of Garnishment (Form 20R) on the garnishee and the clerk. Ask the clerk for an order on consent that the judgment is satisfied (Form 11.2A), or the debtor can bring a motion.

Common mistakes

  • Do not pay for enforcement before you know the assets. Do the examination first.
  • Do not expect more than 20% from wages.
  • Do not let writs expire. Renew with Form 20N before the 6th anniversary.
  • Do not forget postjudgment interest. Add 4.0% (the 2026 rate) until payment.
  • Do not start a garnishment or a writ while a court order for periodic payments is in force. Only a land writ can be filed then.

When to get a lawyer

Get legal advice if the defendant hides assets, or a business closes to avoid payment. Legal services provided by Mithril Law — Jonathan Kleiman, licensed Ontario lawyer.

Free tools